By REBECCA WALSH and CATHERINE MASTERS
Arm in arm, the "old team" of television news presenters Richard Long and Judy Bailey left the One newsroom after their 16-year partnership ended last night.
"It's very emotional, just leaving the people," said Long, as he left TVNZ's Auckland headquarters for a party in
his honour.
"It's the people I will miss."
The party came after TVNZ gave Long an emotional on-air send-off with flowers and shots of his greatest moments on television - including that moustache.
Staff formed a guard of honour for him as he left the studio.
Long was dumped as part of a reshuffle by the head of news and current affairs, Bill Ralston, aimed at returning to a "single presenter format", saving money and focusing on news rather than personalities.
He is among other high-profile presenters and reporters to leave TVNZ this year, including weatherman Jim Hickey, Maggie Barry and April Bruce.
His partnership with Judy Bailey has inspired great loyalty.
Only this week a Herald reader wrote that his return to the screen this week, after time off because of a knee injury, had brought One News back on track.
Long and Bailey are icons, says Robin Aitken from Waiuku.
She is so disappointed in the non-renewal of Long's contract that after Christmas she will send her television to the Salvation Army.
Newsreader Simon Dallow described Long as an "iconic broadcaster" who had taught him much of what he knows now.
Alison Mau said: "All the ladies were in tears. Richard was very emotional, but very strong."
Weather presenter Kay Gregory said despite knowing for months that Long was going, "when push comes to shove it's really emotional". Gregory said Long's knowledge, willingness to help "the young ones" and his authority would be missed.
But it seems that popularity - Long was voted second-best male presenter of a news and current affairs programme in this month's TV Guide Best on the Box people's choice awards - and high praise are not enough to keep the job.
Early next year Long will follow in former Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon's footsteps and narrate the Rocky Horror Show.
Yesterday Long was declining "very, very politely" to talk to the media. A spokeswoman said he wanted to keep his last day low key and was "super-busy", because he was also moving house.
TVNZ's extended on-air farewell - over the song Thank you for being a Friend by Andrew Gold - featured shots of Long as a reporter, presenter and producer, including live broadcasts from the mass shooting from Aramoana in 1990.
In taped interviews, TVNZ chief executive Ian Fraser said Long's contribution had been "incalculable".
Head of news Bill Ralston referred to his decision to move to a "single presenter format", ending Long's career in the presenting chair.
"I was really keen for Richard to stay on and perform other duties here at TVNZ ... but I do understand his desire to get out and face new challenges in the independent freelance world."
Then it was Bailey's turn.
"Well, here we all are, the old team here for the last time, and it has been a really, really special 16 years."
The last words belonged to Long:
"That was lovely, thank you, thank you."
Then he was gone.
By REBECCA WALSH and CATHERINE MASTERS
Arm in arm, the "old team" of television news presenters Richard Long and Judy Bailey left the One newsroom after their 16-year partnership ended last night.
"It's very emotional, just leaving the people," said Long, as he left TVNZ's Auckland headquarters for a party in
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